Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device, including: which makes it possible to dispose a spacer for setting a distance between substrates, to prevent deterioration of display quality by eliminating thickness non-uniformity of an alignment layer due to the presence of a retardation layer, to prevent deterioration of display quality by preventing dissolution and flow of an ingredient of the retardation layer to the liquid crystal layer side, and the like in the liquid crystal device having a horizontal electric field system of a transflective type, and to provide an electric apparatus using the same.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/984,971, filed on Nov. 26, 2007, which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application JP 2007-061334 filed on Mar. 12, 2007, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device preferably usedfor displaying various information.

Currently, a liquid crystal device of a horizontal electric field systemrepresented by an IPS (In-Plane Switching) system and an FFS (FringeField Switching) system are preferably used as various display devicessuch as a mobile apparatus. The horizontal electric field system is asystem in which a direction of an electric field applied to liquidcrystal is set approximately parallel to a substrate and there is anadvantage in that wide viewing angle property can be obtained ascompared with a TN (Twisted Nematic) system or the like.

An example in which such a horizontal electric field system which canobtain wide viewing angle property is applied to a transflective liquidcrystal device having both display modes of reflective display andtransmissive display is disclosed in JP-A-2005-338256 (hereinafter,referred to as Patent Document 1).

In the liquid crystal device described in Patent Document 1, an embeddedretardation film is selectively disposed inside a liquid crystal panelof a reflective display unit so that the laminated body of a liquidcrystal layer and the embedded retardation film becomes a broadband ¼wavelength plate.

In the liquid crystal device having the structure disclosed in PatentDocument 1, a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in a reflectivedisplay area is set smaller than a thickness of the liquid crystal layerin a transmissive display area due to the existence of the embeddedretardation film provided at the first substrate side. Accordingly, aspacer for setting a distance between substrates is generally providedat the reflective display area side at which the thickness of the liquidcrystal layer is thin.

However, in such a liquid crystal device, the embedded retardation filmis formed, for example, by polymerizing and curing the liquid crystalhaving optical polymerization property. Accordingly, the embeddedretardation film is generally soft, so that it is difficult to form thespacer on the embedded retardation film. Even when the spacer can beformed on the retardation film, there is a problem in that it isdifficult for the spacer to function as a spacer due to the softness.

Further, in the liquid crystal device, when the embedded retardationfilm is provided in a raised manner in the reflective display area, apredetermined step is formed between the transmissive display are andthe reflective display area at the first substrate side at which a colorfilter is provided. Herewith, in the manufacturing process of the firstsubstrate, when an alignment layer for setting the alignment of theliquid crystal layer is applied to the transmissive display area and thereflective display area, due to the step, a part of the alignment layerapplied on the embedded retardation film positioned in the reflectivedisplay area flows into each side of one transmissive display area andthe other transmissive display area adjacent each other positioned tosandwich the reflective display area. In this case, it is not necessarythat an amount of the alignment layer flowed to the one transmissivedisplay area side and an amount of the alignment layer flowed to theother transmissive display area side become the same. Accordingly, whenthe amount of the alignment layer flowed to the one transmissive displayarea and the amount of the alignment layer flowed into the othertransmissive display area side become uneven, a transmissive displayarea in which the thickness of the alignment layer is thick and atransmissive area in which the thickness of the alignment layer is thinexist. This causes thickness non-uniformity of the alignment layer.Consequently, there is a problem in that line display non-uniformityoccurs due to the thickness non-uniformity of the alignment layer todeteriorate display quality.

Further, in the liquid crystal device, the thickness of the alignmentlayer is generally thin. Accordingly, there is a problem in that aningredient of the embedded retardation film is dissolved to flow to theliquid crystal layer through the alignment layer to deteriorate displayquality.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a liquidcrystal device which makes it possible to dispose a spacer for setting adistance between substrates, to prevent deterioration of display qualityby eliminating thickness non-uniformity of an alignment layer due to thepresence of a retardation layer, to prevent deterioration of displayquality by preventing dissolution and flow of an ingredient of theretardation layer to the liquid crystal layer side, and the like in theliquid crystal device having a horizontal electric field system of atransflective type, and to provide an electric apparatus using the same.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquidcrystal device. The liquid crystal device includes a pair of first andsecond substrates which sandwich a liquid crystal layer. The firstsubstrate includes a first electrode, a second electrode for generatingan electric field between with the first electrode, and a reflectionlayer, and the second substrate includes a plurality of coloring layersand a retardation layer that gives a retardation of ½ wavelength. Atransmissive display area for performing transmissive display bytransmitting the light introduced into the liquid crystal layer from thefirst substrate side to the second substrate side and a reflectivedisplay area for performing reflective display by reflecting the lightintroduced into the liquid crystal layer form the second substrate sideto the second substrate side by the reflection layer are provided in asub pixel area corresponding to the area in which the first electrode ofthe first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with eachother. A thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissivedisplay area is set at least larger than a thickness of the liquidcrystal layer in the reflective display area. The liquid crystal layerin the reflective display area gives a retardation of ¼ wavelength andthe liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display area gives aretardation of ½ wavelength. A first polarizer having a first opticalaxis is provided on the first substrate at the side opposite to theliquid crystal layer side and a second polarizer having a second opticalaxis perpendicular to the first optical axis is provided on the secondsubstrate at the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer side. Any oneof the first optical axis of the first polarizer and the second opticalaxis of the second polarizer is set in parallel to an alignment axis ofliquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. The retardationlayer is provided between the liquid crystal layer and the secondpolarizer and at a position at lease corresponding to the reflectivedisplay area. Further, a spacer for setting a distance between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is provided at any one of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate side and in the area not overlappingwith the retardation layer in plan view.

The liquid crystal device is equipped with a pair of a first substrateand a second substrate sandwiching a liquid crystal layer. The firstsubstrate is equipped with a first electrode (for example, pixelelectrode) and a second electrode (for example, a common electrode towhich a common voltage is applied) for generating an electric fieldbetween with the first electrode, and a reflection layer having lightreflectivity such as, for example, aluminum. On the other hand, thesecond substrate is equipped with a coloring layer having a plurality ofcolors, a retardation layer that gives a retardation of ½ wavelength.Herein the retardation layer is formed by polymerizing and curing theliquid crystal having optical polymerization property and is preferableto be formed by high molecular liquid crystal as liquid crystal monomerpolymer. In a preferred example, the electric field should be a fringefield having a strong electric field component in the directionapproximately parallel to the substrate surface of the first substratewhen driving the liquid crystal layer. Herewith, a liquid crystal deviceof an FFS system as an example of a horizontal electric field system canbe constituted. Further, a transmissive display area for performingtransmissive display by transmitting the light introduced into theliquid crystal layer from the first substrate side to the secondsubstrate side and a reflective display area for performing reflectivedisplay by reflecting the light introduced into the liquid crystal layerfrom the second substrate side to the second substrate side by thereflection layer are provided in the sub pixel area corresponding to thearea in which the first electrode of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate are overlapped with each other. Then, the thickness of theliquid crystal layer in the transmissive display area is at least setlarger than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflectivedisplay area, and the liquid crystal layer in the reflective displayarea gives a retardation of ¼ wavelength and the liquid crystal layer inthe transmissive display area gives a retardation of ½ wavelength.Herewith, the liquid crystal device constitutes a transflective typeliquid crystal device having a multi gap structure.

Further, a first polarizer having a first optical axis (for example,polarization axis) is provided on the first substrate at the sideopposite to the liquid crystal layer side and a second polarizer havinga second optical axis (for example, polarization axis) perpendicular tothe first optical axis is provided on the second substrate at the sideopposite to the liquid crystal layer side. Any one of the first opticalaxis of the first polarizer and the second optical axis of the secondpolarizer is set in parallel to the alignment axis of the liquid crystalmolecules of the liquid crystal layer.

Herein, the retardation layer is formed by polymerizing and curing theliquid crystal having optical polymerization property as describedabove. Accordingly, the retardation layer is generally soft, so that itis difficult to form the spacer on the retardation layer. Even when thespacer can be formed on the retardation layer, it is difficult for thespacer to function as a spacer due to the softness.

In this regard, in the liquid crystal device, the retardation layer isprovided between the liquid crystal layer and the second polarizer andat a position at least corresponding to the reflective display area anda spacer for setting a distance between the first substrate and thesecond substrate is provided at any one of the first substrate and thesecond substrate side and in the area not overlapping with the softretardation layer in plan view.

Herewith, the spacer can be surely disposed without difficulty inmanufacturing. Further, it becomes possible that the spacer functions asa spacer. In a preferred example, it is preferable that the spacer isprovided at the second substrate side. By providing the spacer to thesecond substrate side, it becomes possible to surely provide the spacerat a position not overlapping with the retardation layer in plan view inmanufacturing process.

According to an aspect of the liquid crystal device, it is preferablethat the spacer is provided in an area which enables the spacer to besurly supported, for example, in an area in which the thickness of theliquid crystal layer is larger than the thickness of the liquid crystallayer in the reflective display area.

According to another aspect of the liquid crystal device, a plurality ofthe sub pixel areas are provided in a matrix manner, a light shieldinglayer is provided at the second substrate side and at least between thesub pixel areas adjacent each other in a row direction, and the spaceris provided at a position overlapping with the light shielding layer inplan view. Herewith, should light leakage occur due to the spacer, thelight leakage is shielded by the light shielding layer. Accordingly,deterioration of display quality due to the spacer can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the liquid crystal device, theretardation layer has a slit at a position corresponding to between thereflective display area provided in any of the sub pixel area and theother reflective display area provided in the other sub pixel areaadjacent each other in a predetermined direction with respect to the anyof the sub pixel area. In a preferred example, the slit does notpenetrate in the thickness direction of the retardation layer in theretardation layer.

Herein, as a comparative example, the case where the slit (groove) isnot formed in the retardation layer will be described. As describedabove, the retardation layer is provided at a position at leastcorresponding to the reflective display area. That is, the retardationlayer is provided in a raised manner at least in the reflection displayarea. Accordingly, a predetermined step is formed between thetransmissive display area and the reflective display area at the secondsubstrate side. Herewith, in the manufacturing process of the secondsubstrate, when an alignment layer for setting the alignment of theliquid crystal layer is applied to the transmissive display area and thereflective display area, a part of the alignment layer applied on theretardant layer positioned in the reflective display area flows intoeach side of one transmissive display area and the other transmissivedisplay area adjacent each other in a predetermined direction (forexample, extending direction of a source line) with respect to thereflection display area due to the step. In this case, it is notnecessary that the amount of the alignment layer flowed to onetransmissive display area side and the amount of the alignment layerflowed to the other transmissive display area side become the same.Accordingly, when the amount of the alignment layer flowed into onetransmissive display area and the amount of the alignment layer flowedinto the other transmissive display area become uneven, the transmissivedisplay area in which the thickness of the alignment layer is thick andthe transmissive display area in which the thickness of the alignmentlayer is thin exist in the second substrate. Accordingly, thicknessnon-uniformity is generated in the alignment layer. Consequently, in thecomparative example, there is a problem in that line displaynon-uniformity occurs due to the thickness non-uniformity of thealignment layer.

In this regard, in the aspect, the retardation layer has a slit at aposition corresponding to between the reflective display area providedin any of the sub pixel area and the other reflective display areaprovided in the other sub pixel area adjacent each other in apredetermined direction with respect to the any of the sub pixel area(for example, the extending direction of a second wiring of a gate lineor a common wiring described below extending in the directionperpendicular to the extending direction of the source line).Consequently, should the amount of the alignment layer flowed to onetransmissive display area side and the amount of the alignment layerflowed to the other transmissive display area side become uneven whenforming the alignment layer at the second substrate side, the alignmentlayer flows from one (or the other) transmissive display area side atwhich the flowed amount of the alignment layer is large to the other (orone) transmissive display are side at which the flowed amount of thealignment layer is small through the slit provided in the retardationlayer. Consequently, the thickness of the alignment layer formed at onetransmissive display area side and the thickness of the alignment layerformed at the other transmissive display area side become even.Accordingly, occurrence of thickness non-uniformity of the alignmentlayer can be prevented by the operation of the silt. This makes itpossible to prevent occurrence of display non-uniformity.

In a preferred example, it is preferable that the slit is providedbetween some of the sub pixel areas adjacent each other in thepredetermined direction and the slit is not provided between some of thesub pixel areas adjacent each other in the predetermined direction inthe retardation layer.

As described above, the spacer is provided in the area not overlappingwith the soft retardation layer in plan view at the second substrateside. Herein, when the spacer is provided near the slit of theretardation layer or on the extended line in the extending direction ofthe slit, there is a fear in that the flow of the alignment layerthrough the slit between one transmissive display area and the othertransmissive display area provided at the position to sandwich thereflection display area may be stopped when forming the alignment layerfor setting the alignment of the liquid crystal layer at the secondsubstrate side.

Consequently, in order to prevent the occurrence of such a disadvantage,according to another aspect of the liquid crystal device, the spacer isprovided at the position most apart from the slit in any of the subpixel area. In a preferred example, it is preferable that the spacer isnot positioned on the extended line in the extending direction of theslit. Herewith, when forming the alignment layer, it is prevented thatthe spacer stops the flow of the alignment layer through the silt of theretardation layer. As a result, occurrence of thickness non-uniformityof the alignment layer can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the liquid crystal device, a protectionlayer covering the retardation layer is provided at least between theretardation layer and the liquid crystal layer, and the protection layerhas a slit at a position corresponding to between the reflective displayarea provided in any of the sub pixel area and the other reflectivedisplay area provided in the other sub pixel area adjacent each other ina predetermined direction with respect to the any of the sub pixel area.

Generally, the thickness of the alignment layer formed on theretardation layer is thin, so that there is a fear in that an ingredientcontained in the retardation layer is dissolved to flow to the liquidcrystal layer side through the alignment layer due to the thickness todeteriorate display quality. Further, the retardation layer is formed bypolymerizing and curing the liquid crystal having optical polymerizationproperty as described above, so that the retardation layer is generallysoft. Accordingly, the retardation layer is extremely week againstmechanical impact or the like generated when subjecting the surface ofthe alignment layer to a rubbing process.

In this regard, in the aspect, a protection layer for covering theretardation layer is provided at least between the retardation layer andthe liquid crystal layer. Herein, as for the forming material of theprotection layer, for example, a transparent resin such as acrylic resinor the like is included. According to the structure, by the operation ofthe protection layer as a barrier, it is prevented that an ingredientcontained in the retardation layer is dissolved to flow to the liquidcrystal layer side through the alignment layer. This enables to preventdeterioration of display quality. Further, by the operation of theprotection layer as a reinforcement layer, the retardation layer can beprotected from mechanical impact or the like generated when subjectingthe surface of the alignment layer to a rubbing process.

Further, in the aspect, the protection layer has a slit at the positioncorresponding to between the reflective display area provided in any ofthe sub pixel area and the other reflective display area provided in theother sub pixel area adjacent each other in a predetermined directionwith respect to the any of the sub pixel area (for example, theextending direction of a second wiring of a gate line or a common wiringdescribed below extending in the direction perpendicular to theextending direction of the source line). Consequently, should the amountof the alignment layer flowed to one transmissive display area side andthe amount of the alignment layer flowed to the other transmissivedisplay area side become uneven when forming the alignment layer at thesecond substrate side, the alignment layer flows from one (or the other)transmissive display area side at which the flowed amount of thealignment layer is large to the other (or one) transmissive display areside at which the flowed amount of the alignment layer is small throughthe slit provided in the protection layer. Consequently, the thicknessof the alignment layer formed at one transmissive display area side andthe thickness of the alignment layer formed at the other transmissivedisplay area side become even. Accordingly, occurrence of thicknessnon-uniformity of the alignment layer can be prevented by the operationof the silt of the protection layer. This makes it possible to preventoccurrence of display non-uniformity.

In a preferred example, it is preferable that the slit is providedbetween some of the sub pixel areas adjacent each other in thepredetermined direction and the slit is not provided between the some ofthe sub pixel areas adjacent each other in the predetermined directionin the protection layer.

According to another aspect of the liquid crystal device, the spacer isprovided at the position most apart from the slit in any of the suppixel area. In a preferred example, it is preferable that the spacer isnot positioned on the extended line in the extending direction of theslit. Herewith, when forming the alignment layer, it can be preventedthat the spacer stops the flow of the alignment layer through the slitof the protection layer between the transmissive display areas adjacenteach other. As a result, occurrence of thickness non-uniformity of thealignment layer can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the liquid crystal device, it ispreferable that the slit does not penetrate in the thickness directionof the protection layer in the protection layer. Herewith, theprotection layer as a barrier exists between the alignment layer and theretardation layer corresponding to the position of the slit. Thisfurther prevents that an ingredient contained in the retardation layeris dissolved to flow to the liquid crystal layer side through thealignment layer.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquidcrystal device. The liquid crystal device includes a pair of first andsecond substrates which sandwich a liquid crystal layer. The firstsubstrate includes a first electrode, a second electrode for generatingan electric field between with the first electrode, and a reflectionlayer, and the second substrate includes a plurality of coloring layersand a retardation layer that gives a retardation of ½ wavelength. Atransmissive display area for performing transmissive display bytransmitting the light introduced into the liquid crystal layer from thefirst substrate side to the second substrate side and a reflectivedisplay area for performing reflective display by reflecting the lightintroduced into the liquid crystal layer form the second substrate sideto the second substrate side by the reflection layer are provided in asub pixel area corresponding to the area in which the first electrode ofthe first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with eachother. A thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissivedisplay area is set at least larger than a thickness of theliquid-crystal layer in the reflective display area. The liquid crystallayer in the reflective display area gives a retardation of ¼ wavelengthand the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display area gives aretardation of ½ wavelength. A first polarizer having a first opticalaxis is provided on the first substrate at the side opposite to theliquid crystal layer side and a second polarizer having a second opticalaxis perpendicular to the first optical axis is provided on the secondsubstrate at the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer side. Any oneof the first optical axis of the first polarizer and the second opticalaxis of the second polarizer is set in parallel to an alignment axis ofliquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. The retardationlayer is provided between the liquid crystal layer and the secondpolarizer and at a position at least corresponding to the reflectivedisplay area. Further, a layer positioned in the reflective display areaand provided between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layerincludes a slit at a position corresponding to between the reflectivedisplay area provided in any of the sub pixel area and the otherreflective display area provided in the other sub pixel area adjacenteach other in a predetermined direction with respect to the any of thesub pixel area.

The liquid crystal device is equipped with a pair of a first substrateand a second substrate sandwiching a liquid crystal layer. The firstsubstrate is equipped with a first electrode (for example, pixelelectrode) and a second electrode (for example, a common electrode towhich a common voltage is applied) for generating an electric fieldbetween with the first electrode, and a reflection layer having lightreflectivity such as, for example, aluminum. On the other hand, thesecond substrate is equipped with a coloring layer having a plurality ofcolors, a retardation layer that gives a retardation of ½ wavelength.Herein the retardation layer is formed by polymerizing and curing theliquid crystal having optical polymerization property and is preferableto be formed by high molecular liquid crystal as liquid crystal monomerpolymer. In a preferred example, the electric field should be a fringefield having a strong electric field component in the directionapproximately parallel to the substrate surface of the first substratewhen driving the liquid crystal layer. Herewith, a liquid crystal deviceof an FFS system as an example of a horizontal electric field system canbe constituted. Further, a transmissive display area for performingtransmissive display by transmitting the light introduced into theliquid crystal layer from the first substrate side to the secondsubstrate side and a reflective display area for performing reflectivedisplay by reflecting the light introduced into the liquid crystal layerfrom the second substrate side to the second substrate side by thereflection layer are provided in the sub pixel area corresponding to thearea in which the first electrode of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate are overlapped with each other. Then, the thickness of theliquid crystal layer in the transmissive display area is at least setlarger than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflectivedisplay area, and the liquid crystal layer in the reflective displayarea gives a retardation of ¼ wavelength and the liquid crystal layer inthe transmissive display area gives a retardation of ½ wavelength.Herewith, the liquid crystal device constitutes a transflective typeliquid crystal device having a multi gap structure.

Further, a first polarizer having a first optical axis (for example,polarization axis) is provided on the first substrate at the sideopposite to the liquid crystal layer side and a second polarizer havinga second optical axis (for example, polarization axis) perpendicular tothe first optical axis is provided on the second substrate at the sideopposite to the liquid crystal layer side. Any one of the first opticalaxis of the first polarizer and the second optical axis of the secondpolarizer is set in parallel to the alignment axis of the liquid crystalmolecules of the liquid crystal layer.

In particular, in the aspect, the retardation layer is provided betweenthe liquid crystal layer and the second polarizer and at the positioncorresponding to at least the reflective display area. A layer (forexample, the retardation layer or a protection layer provided betweenthe retardation layer and the liquid crystal layer) provided between thesecond substrate and the liquid crystal layer positioned in thereflective display area has a slit at a position corresponding tobetween the reflective display area provided in any of the sub pixelarea and the other reflective display area provided in the other subpixel area adjacent each other in a predetermined direction with respectto the any of the sub pixel area (for example, the extending directionof a second wiring of a gate line or a common wiring described belowextending in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction ofthe source line).

Consequently, should the amount of the alignment layer flowed to onetransmissive display area side and the amount of the alignment layerflowed to the other transmissive display area side become uneven whenforming the alignment layer at the second substrate side, the alignmentlayer flows from one (or the other) transmissive display area side atwhich the flowed amount of the alignment layer is large to the other (orone) transmissive display are side at which the flowed amount of thealignment layer is small through the slit provided in the layer providedbetween the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer positioned inthe reflective display area. Consequently, the thickness of thealignment layer formed at one transmissive display area side and thethickness of the alignment layer formed at the other transmissivedisplay area side become even. Accordingly, occurrence of thicknessnon-uniformity of the alignment layer can be prevented by the operationof the silt. This makes it possible to prevent occurrence of displaynon-uniformity.

According to a still another aspect of the invention, there is providedan electronic apparatus equipped with the liquid crystal device as adisplay unit.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an electrode and a wiring structure of aliquid crystal device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a pixel structure of the liquid crystaldevice of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a cross sectional structure ofone sub pixel area of the liquid crystal device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relation of optical axis of each elementof the liquid crystal device according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are each a cross sectional view corresponding to areflective display area of a color filter substrate of the firstembodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are each a cross sectional view corresponding to areflective display area of a color filter substrate of the secondembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a pixel structure of a liquid crystaldevice of a modification of the invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are each a diagram showing an example of an electronicapparatus equipped with the liquid crystal device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present application will be described below in detailwith reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

Structure of Liquid Crystal Device

First, a planar structure focusing on an electrode and a wiringstructure of a liquid crystal device according to a first embodiment ofthe invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an electrode and a wiringstructure of the liquid crystal device according to the firstembodiment. In FIG. 1, a color filter substrate 92 and an elementsubstrate 91 are respectively disposed at the front side of the papersurface (observation side) and the rear side of the paper surface.Further, in FIG. 1, the overlapping area of the area corresponding toeach of coloring layers 22 of R, G, B three colors having a rectangularplan shape provided at the color filter substrate 92 side and each pixelelectrode 9 provided at the element substrate 91 side shows one subpixel area (a sub pixel area) SG which becomes the minimum unit fordisplay. The area in which a plurality of sub pixel areas SG are alignedin a matrix manner is a viewing area V (the area surrounded by two dotchain line) in which images such as characters, numbers, and figures aredisplayed. The area outside the viewing area V is a frame area 38 whichdoes not contribute for display.

The element substrate 91 and the color filter substrate 92 oppositelydisposed thereto are stuck together via a sealing material 45 having aframe shape and a liquid crystal layer 40 is formed by enclosing liquidcrystal showing a homogeneous alignment in the area separated by thesealing material 45 to constitute the liquid crystal device 100.

Herein, the liquid crystal device 100 is a liquid crystal device of anFFS (Fringe Field Switching) system as an example of a horizontalelectric field system which generates a fringe filed (electric field E)in the direction approximately parallel to the substrate surface of theelement substrate 91 to control the alignment of the liquid crystalmolecules. Further, the liquid crystal device 100 is a transflectivetype liquid crystal device having a reflective display mode forperforming reflective display by using the external light under a brightlight and a transmissive display mode for performing transmissivedisplay by using a light source such as a backlight under a dark light.Further, the liquid crystal device 100 is a liquid crystal device forcolor display constituted by using the coloring layers 22 of R, G, Bthree colors and is a liquid crystal device of an active matrix drivingsystem using an α Si-type TFT (Thin Film Transistor) element 30 of as aswitching element.

First, the planar structure focusing on an electrode and a wiringstructure of the element substrate 91 will be described.

The element substrate 91 mainly includes a plurality of source lines 4,a plurality of gate lines 3, a plurality of common wirings 2, a wiring37, a plurality of α Si-type TFT element 30, a plurality of commonelectrodes 7, a plurality of pixel electrodes 9, a driver IC 42, anexternal connection wiring 35, and an FPC 43.

The element substrate 91 has a flared area 36 flaring outwardly from oneside of the color filter substrate 92. The driver IC 42 for drivingliquid crystal is mounted on the flared area 36. Each electrode (omittedin FIG. 1) at input side of the driver IC 42 is electrically connectedto one end of each external connection wiring 35 and the other end ofeach external connection wiring 35 is electrically connected to eachelectrode (omitted in FIG. 1) of the FPC 43. One end of the FPC 43(omitted in FIG. 1) is electrically connected to an electronic apparatusdescribed below.

Each source line 4 is formed to extend from the flared area 36 to theviewing area V at an appropriate interval in the longitudinal directionof the driver IC 42. One end of each source line 4 is electricallyconnected to each electrode (omitted in FIG. 1) of output side of thedriver IC 42.

Each gate line 3 is equipped with a first wiring 3 a formed to extendfrom the flared area 36 to the viewing area V at an appropriate distancein the longitudinal direction of the driver IC 42 and a second wiring 3b formed to extend from the terminal of the first wiring 3 a into theviewing area V. One end of the first wiring 3 a of each gate line 3 iselectrically connected to each electrode of the driver IC 42 at theoutput side (omitted in FIG. 1).

Each common wiring 2 is provided to correspond to each gate line 3 andformed to extend in the same direction at a fixed distance with respectto the second wiring 3 b of the each gate line 3. Each common wiring 2is electrically connected to a wiring 37 at, for example, a position E1which is a corner of the sealing material 45. The wiring 37 iselectrically connected to an output electrode corresponding to the COMof the driver IC 42.

Each α Si-type TFT element 30 is provided so as to correspond to thecrossing position of each source line 4 and the second wiring line 3 bof each gate line 3 and electrically connected to each source line 4 andeach gate line 3.

Each common electrode 7 is provided so as to correspond to each subpixel area SG and is electrically connected to the corresponding eachcommon wiring 2. Consequently, a common electric potential is applied toeach common electrode 7 from the output electrode corresponding to theCOM of the driver IC 42 via the corresponding each common wiring 2.

Each pixel electrode 9 is provided so as to correspond to each sub pixelarea SG and, each pixel electrode 9 is electrically connected to thecorresponding each α Si-type TFT element 30.

Next, a planar structure of the color filter substrate 92 will bedescribed.

The color filter substrate 92 is called as a light shielding layerformed by a black resin which shields light (generally, called as “blackmatrix” and hereinafter, simply abbreviated as “BM”) and equipped withthe coloring layers 22 of R, G, B three colors or the like. Note that inthe following description, when indicating the coloring layer regardlessof color, the coloring layer is simply referred to as “coloring layer22” and when indicating the coloring layer to distinguish the color, thecoloring layer is referred to as “coloring layer 22 R” or the like.

The BM is formed at the position to block out each sub pixel area SG,the position corresponding to each α Si-type TFT element 30, or the lie.Note that, the BM is not necessarily formed by a black resin and may beformed by a metal film having a function for shielding light. Thecoloring layer 22 of each color of R, G, B is provided so as tocorrespond to each sub pixel area SG. In the embodiment, the coloringlayers 22 are aligned in the extending direction of the second wiring 3b of the gate line 3 in the order of R, G, B. However, the alignmentorder is not specifically limited.

The liquid crystal device 100 having the above structure is operated asdescribed below when driving.

First, the source line 4 for supplying an image signal is electricallyconnected to the source electrode 30 s (see FIG. 2) of the α Si-type TFTelement 30 and the pixel electrode 9 is electrically connected to thedrain electrode 30 d (see FIG. 2) of the α Si-type TFT element 30. Thenthe gate line 3 is electrically connected to the gate electrode (omittedin the drawings) of the α Si-type TFT element 30. Each of image signalsS1, S2, . . . , Sn supplied from the source lines 4 is written atpredetermined timings by closing the switch of the α Si-type TFT element30 which is a switching element for a predetermined period. The imagesignals S1, S2, . . . , Sn may be line sequentially supplied in thisorder or may be supplied group by group to a plurality of mutuallyadjacent gate lines 32. Further, the gate signals G1, G2, . . . , Gm areline sequentially applied in this order by pulse to the gate line 3 atpredetermined timings. Herewith, the alignment state of the liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 40 is controlled and adisplay image is viewed by the observer.

Pixel Structure

Next, a planar pixel structure of the liquid crystal device 100according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a main portion of apixel structure of the liquid crystal device 100.

One sub pixel area SG corresponds to the overlapping area of the pixelelectrode 9 of the element substrate 91 and the coloring area 22 of thecolor filter substrate 92. A transmissive display area T for performingtransmissive display by transmitting the illumination light introducedfrom a backlight 14 (see FIG. 3) at the element substrate 91 side to thecolor filter substrate 92 side and a reflective display area R forperforming reflective display by reflecting the light introduced fromthe color filter substrate 92 side to the color filter substrate 92 sideby a reflection layer 6 (see FIG. 3) are provided in one sub pixel areaSG.

A planar pixel structure at the element substrate 91 side will bedescribed below.

The source line 4, and the second wiring 3 b of the gate line 3 and thecommon wiring 2 extend in the direction perpendicular to each other. Theα Si-type TFT element 30 is provided so as to correspond to the crossingposition of the source line 4 and the second wiring 3 b of the gate line3 or the common wiring 2. Herein, the α Si-type TFT element 30 includesa gate electrode (omitted in FIG. 2) constituting a part of the gateline 3, a gate insulating layer (omitted in FIG. 2) formed on the gateelectrode, an amorphous silicon layer (α-Si layer) 30 a formed on thegate insulating layer, a source electrode 30 s branched from the mainline of the source line 4 to the side of the second wiring 3 b of thegate line 3 and electrically connected to the α-Si layer 30 a, a drainelectrode 30 d disposed at a fixed distance to the source electrode 30 sand electrically connected to the α-Si layer 30 a. A reflection layer 6having light reflectivity such as aluminum is provided at the positioncorresponding to the reflective display area R. The common electrode 7is provided so as to correspond within one sub pixel area SG andelectrically connected to the corresponding common wiring 2 via acontact hole (omitted in FIG. 2) provided in a first insulating layer 5.The pixel electrode 9 is provided so as to correspond within one pixelarea SG and overlapping with the common electrode 7 in plan view via asecond insulating layer 8 (see FIG. 3). The pixel electrode 9 iselectrically connected to the drain electrode 30 d of the α-Si type TFTelement 30 via contact holes (omitted in FIG. 2) provided in each of thesecond insulating layer 8 and the first insulating layer 5 of FIG. 3.Further, the pixel electrode 9 has a plurality of slits 9 s each havinga parallelogram shape extending in the direction perpendicular to thesource line 4. Each of the slits 9 s is provided in the extendingdirection of the source line 4 at a fixed distance.

Further, a planar structure of the color filter substrate 92corresponding to the planar pixel structure of the element substrate 91will be described below.

Each of the coloring layers 22R, 22G, 22B is provided so as tocorrespond within one sub pixel area SG. The coloring layers 22R, 22G,22B are disposed along the extending direction of the second wiring 3 bof the gate line 3 in this order. A retardation layer 25 (also see FIG.3) is provided at the position corresponding to the reflective displayarea R.

Next, a cross sectional structure of one sub pixel area SG of the liquidcrystal device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 isa cross sectional view showing a cross sectional structure of one subpixel area SG taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2.

First, the cross sectional structure of the element substrate 91 shownin FIG. 3 will be described below.

The element substrate 91 includes a first substrate 1, the second wiring3 b of the gate wiring 3 and the common wiring 2 formed on the firstsubstrate 1, the first insulating layer (interlayer insulation film)covering the second wiring 3 b of the gate wiring 3 and the commonwiring 2, the reflection layer 6 formed on the first insulating layer 5in the reflective display area R, the common electrode 7 formed on thereflection layer 6 in the reflective display area R and the firstinsulating layer 5 in the transmissive display area T, the secondinsulating layer 8 provided at the position covering the commonelectrode 7, the pixel electrode 9 provided on the second insulatinglayer 8, and an alignment layer 10 provided at the position covering thepixel electrode 9.

The first substrate 1 is formed by a translucent material such as quartor glass. The first insulating layer 5 is formed by a transparentmaterial having insulation properties such as an acrylic resin. Fineirregularities for scattering light are formed on the first insulatinglayer 5 positioned in the reflective display area R. The reflectionlayer 6 is formed on the first insulating layer 5 in which the fineirregularities are formed, so that the reflection layer 6 has a shapereflecting the shape. Consequently, the light reflected by thereflection layer 6 is moderately scattered to the observation side. Thesecond insulating layer 8 is formed by a transparent material havinginsulation properties such as silicon nitride (SiN). The commonelectrode 7 and the pixel electrode 9 are formed by a transparentelectrical conducting material such as ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide). Thecommon electrode 7 and the pixel electrode 9 are overlapped with eachother in plan view. An electric field E is formed between the commonelectrode 7 and the pixel electrode 9 via the slits 9 s when applying avoltage to the liquid crystal layer 40. However, the electric field E iswarped into an arch shape by the second insulating layer 8 and is passedthrough the liquid crystal layer 40 and the alignment of the liquidcrystal molecules is controlled. The alignment layer 10 is formed by anorganic material such as polyimide resin having horizontal orientationproperty and rubbing process is subjected on the surface. Accordingly,the alignment layer 10 has a role to align the liquid crystal moleculesin a predetermined direction. Note that a first polarizer 13 is disposedon the element substrate 91 at the side opposite to the liquid crystallayer 40 side and a back light 14 as an illumination device is disposedoutside the first polarizer 13.

Next, a cross sectional structure of the color filter substrate 92 shownin FIG. 3 will be described below.

The color filter substrate 92 includes a second substrate 21, thecoloring layer 22 (in FIG. 3, coloring layer 22G) formed on the secondsubstrate 21, an insulating layer (overcoat layer) 23 formed on thecoloring layer 22, a first alignment layer 24 formed on the insulatinglayer 23, the retardation layer 25 formed on the first alignment layer24 in the reflective display area R, a second alignment layer 26 formedon each of the insulating layer 23 in the transmissive display area Tand the retardation layer 25 in the reflective display area R, and acolumnar spacer 55 formed on the second alignment layer 26.

The second substrate 2 is formed by a translucent material such as quartor glass. The insulating layer 23 is formed by a transparent materialhaving insulation properties such as an acrylic resin and has a functionto protect the coloring layer 22 so as not to be eroded and polluted byan agent or the like used in the manufacturing process of the liquidcrystal devise 100. The first alignment layer 24 is formed by an organicmaterial such as polyimide resin having horizontal orientation propertyand rubbing process is subjected on the surface. The first alignmentlayer 24 has a function to determine the slow axis direction of theretardation layer 25. The retardation layer 25 is formed by polymerizingand curing the liquid crystal having optical polymerization property andformed by high molecular liquid crystal as liquid crystal monomerpolymer. Further the retardation layer 25 gives a retardation of ½wavelength and has a thickness that satisfies the relation of dt>dr ifthe thickness of the liquid crystal layer 40 in the transmissive displayarea T is dt and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 40 in thereflective display area R is dr with the first insulating layer(interlayer insulation film) 5 of the element substrate 91 and thecolumnar spacer 55. In the example, the thickness dt of the liquidcrystal layer 40 in the transmissive display area T and the thickness drof the liquid crystal layer 40 in the reflective display area R arerelatively determined so that the retardation of the liquid crystallayer 40 in the transmissive display area T is set to ½ wavelength andthe retardation of the liquid crystal layer 40 in the reflective displayarea R is set to ¼ wavelength. Herewith, so called a multi gap structureis formed. Further, a slit (groove) 25 s is provided at a predeterminedposition of the retardation layer 25 in order to prevent displaynon-uniformity caused by thickness non-uniformity of the secondalignment layer 26. This point will be described below. The secondalignment layer 26 is formed by an organic material such as polyimideresin having horizontal orientation property and rubbing process issubjected on the surface. Accordingly, the second alignment layer 26 hasa role to align the liquid crystal molecules in a predetermineddirection. The columnar spacer 55 is formed by a transparent resin suchas polyimide resin and has a function to set the distance between theelement substrate 91 and the color filter substrate 92 to a fixeddistance, specifically has a function to set the relation of thethickness dt of the liquid crystal layer 40 in the transmittance area Tand the thickness dr of the liquid crystal layer 40 in the reflectivedisplay area R to dt>dr. Note that a second polarizer 28 is disposed onthe color filter substrate 92 at the side opposite to the liquid crystallayer 40.

Next, relations of an axis of the liquid crystal molecules in thealignment direction, polarization axes of the polarizers, a slow axis ofthe retardation layer, and the like in the liquid crystal device 100will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing relations of a direction Edrof the electric field E, an axis 40 a of the liquid crystal molecules 40x in the alignment direction (hereinafter, referred to as “liquidcrystal alignment axis 40 a”), a first polarization axis 13 a of thefirst polarizer 13, a second polarization axis 28 a of the secondpolarizer 28, a slow axis 25 a of the retardation layer 25, a rubbingdirection 24 a of the first alignment layer 24, and a rubbing direction26 a of the second alignment layer 26. In FIG. 4, the straight line 50shown by the dotted line is a reference line showing the directionparallel to the longitudinal direction (or long axis direction) of theslits 9 s of the pixel electrode 9.

The angle made by the direction Edr of the electric field E (also seeFIG. 3) and the reference line 50 is set to 90 degrees. Accordingly, thedirection Edr of the electric field E is set in parallel to the shortside direction (or short axis direction) of the slit 9 s of the pixelelectrode 9. The liquid crystal alignment axis 40 a, the firstpolarization axis 13 a of the first polarizer 13, and the rubbingdirection 26 a of the second alignment layer 26 are set in parallel toeach other and the angle made by each axis thereof and the referenceline 50 is set to about 15 degrees. The angle made by the liquid crystalalignment axis 40 a, the first polarization axis 13 a of the firstpolarizer 13, or the rubbing direction 26 a of the second alignmentlayer 26 and the rubbing direction 24 a of the first alignment layer 24or the slow axis 25 a of the retardation layer 25 is set to about 68degrees. The angle made by the first polarization axis 13 a of the firstpolarizer 13 and the second polarization axis 28 a of the secondpolarizer 28 is set to 90 degrees.

In the liquid crystal device 100 having the above structure, whendriving the liquid crystal device 100, the alignment state of the liquidcrystal molecules is controlled by the fringe filed (electric field E)generated between the pixel electrode 9 and the common electrode 7,thereby performing color reflective display or color transmissivedisplay. To be more specific, when reflective display is performed, theexternal light introduced into the liquid crystal device 100 proceedsalong the pathway Lr shown in FIG. 3. That is, the external lightintroduced into the liquid crystal device 100 is reflected by thereflection layer 6 and reached the observer. In this case, the externallight is passed through the area in which the pixel electrode 9 and thecommon electrode 7 and the like are formed, reflected by the reflectionlayer 6 positioned at the lower side of the common electrode 7positioned in the reflective display area R, and again is passed throughthe pixel electrode 9 and the coloring layer 22 and the like to providea predetermined hue and brightness. On the other hand, when transmissivedisplay is performed, the illumination light emitted from the backlight14 proceeds along the pathway Lt shown in FIG. 3. That is, the emittedlight is passed through the pixel electrode 9, each coloring layer 22,and the like to reach the observer. In this case, the illumination lightprovides a predetermined hue and brightness by transmitted though thecoloring layers 22 and the like. Herewith a desired color display imageis viewed by the observer.

Positional Relationship of Retardation Layer and Spacer

As described above, the retardation layer 25 is formed by polymerizingand curing the liquid crystal having optical polymerization property.Accordingly, the retardation layer 25 is generally soft, so that it isdifficult to form the columnar spacer 55 for setting the distancebetween the element substrate 91 and the color filter substrate 92 onthe retardation layer 25. Even when the columnar space 35 can be formedon the retardation layer 25, it is impossible for the columnar spacer 55to function as an original spacer due to the softness.

Considering the point, in the first embodiment of the invention, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the columnar spacer 55 is provided in the areawhich does not overlap with the soft retardation layer 25 in plan viewand at the color filter substrate 92 side. Herewith, the columnar spacer55 can be surly formed without suffering from the difficulty ofproduction and it becomes possible for the columnar spacer 55 tofunction as an original spacer. Further, by providing the columnarspacer 55 to the color filter substrate 92 side, it becomes possible tosurely provide the columnar spacer 55 at a position which does notoverlap with the retardation layer 25 in plan view. In a preferredexample, it is preferable that the columnar spacer 55 is provided in anarea in which the columnar spacer 55 can be surely supported as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Specifically, it is preferable that the columnar spacer55 is provided in an area in which the thickness of the liquid crystallayer 40 is larger than the thickness dt of the liquid crystal layer 40in the reflective display area R (for example, the area in which thethickness of the liquid crystal layer 40 is large near the transmissivedisplay area T as shown in FIG. 3). Further, it is preferable that thecolumnar spacer 55 is provided at a position overlapping with the BM(light shielding layer) in plan view. Herewith, should light leakageoccur due to the columnar spacer 55, the light leakage is shielded bythe BM. Accordingly, the deterioration of display quality caused by thecolumnar spacer 55 can be prevented.

Note that no restriction is made to the setting number of the columnarspacer 55 of the liquid crystal device 100 in the invention.

Setting Position of Slit in Retardation Layer

Next, a setting position of the slit in the retardation layer at thecolor filter substrate 92 side will be described with reference to FIGS.2 to FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view taken along the line VA-VA of FIG. 2,which shows the color filter substrate 92 in the reflective display areaR.

Herein, as a comparative example, suppose there is no slit (groove) 25 sformed in the retardation layer 25 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the retardation layer 25 has a predetermined thickness and provided atonly the position corresponding to the reflective display area R. Thatis, the retardation layer 25 is provided in the reflective display areaR at the color filter substrate 92 side in a raised manner. Accordingly,a predetermined step d1 is formed between the transmissive display areaT and the reflective display area R at the color filter substrate 92side as shown in FIG. 3. Herewith, in the manufacturing process of thecolor filter substrate 92, when the second alignment layer 26 is appliedon the first alignment layer 24 positioned in the transmissive displayarea T1 the retardation layer 25 positioned in the reflective displayarea R and the like, due to the step d1, a part of the second alignmentlayer 26 applied on the retardation layer 25 positioned in thereflective display area R flows into each of the sides of thetransmissive display area T1 and the transmissive display area T2adjacent each other in the extending direction of the source line 4 withrespect to the reflective display area R. It is not necessarily the casethat the amount of the second alignment layer 26 flowed on the firstalignment layer 24 positioned in the transmissive display area T1 andthe amount of the second alignment layer 26 flowed on the firstalignment layer 24 positioned in the transmissive display area T2 becomethe same. Accordingly, when the amount of the second alignment layer 26flowed on the first alignment layer 24 positioned in the transmissivedisplay area T1 and the amount of the second alignment layer 26 flowedon the first alignment layer 24 positioned in the transmissive displayarea T2 become uneven, the transmissive display area T in which thethickness of the second alignment layer 24 is large and the transmissivedisplay area T in which the thickness of the second alignment layer 24is small unfavorably exist. Consequently, thickness non-uniformityoccurs in the second alignment layer 26. Accordingly, in the comparativeexample, there is a problem in that line display non-uniformity occursdue to the thickness non-uniformity of the second alignment layer 26.

On the basis of the point, in the first embodiment of the invention, theproblem described above is solved by providing the slit (groove) 25 s inthe retardation layer 25 at the position corresponding to between thereflective display area R provided in any sub pixel area SG and theother reflecting displaying area R provided in the other sub pixel areaSG adjacent each other in the extending direction of the second wiring 3b of the gate line 3 or the common wiring 2 with respect to the any subpixel area SG.

That is, in the first embodiment of the invention, similarly to thecomparative example, the retardation layer 25 is formed only in thereflective display area R in a raised manner, so that the step d1 isformed between the reflective display area R and the transmissivedisplay area T as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, at the color filtersubstrate 92 side, when forming the second alignment layer 26, a part ofthe second alignment layer 26 applied on the retardation layer 25provided in any reflective display area R is to be flowed to the eachside of the transmissive display area T1 and the transmissive displayarea T2 adjacent each other in the extending direction of the sourceline 4 with respect to the reflective display area R. Herein, should theamount of the second alignment layer 26 flowed on the first alignmentlayer 24 positioned in the transmissive display area T1 and the amountof the second alignment layer 26 flowed on the first alignment layer 24positioned in the transmissive display area T2 become uneven, the secondalignment layer 26 flows from the side of the transmissive display areaT1 (T2) in which the flowing amount of the second alignment layer 26 islarge to the side of the transmissive display area T2 (T1) in which theflowing amount of the second alignment layer 26 is small. Consequently,the thickness of the second alignment layer 26 formed on the firstalignment layer 24 positioned in the transmissive display area T1 andthe thickness of the alignment layer 26 formed on the first alignmentlayer 24 positioned in the transmissive display area T2 become even.That is, in the first embodiment, the retardation layer 25 includes theslit (groove) 25 s at the position corresponding to between thereflective display area R provided in any sub pixel area SG and theother reflecting displaying area R provided in the other sub pixel areaSG adjacent each other in the extending direction of the second wiring 3b of the gate line 3 or the common wiring 2 with respect to the any subpixel area SG. Consequently, occurrence of thickness non-uniformity ofthe second alignment layer 26 can be prevented by the operation of theslit 25 s. Herewith, occurrence of display non-uniformity can beprevented.

Further, according to the structure, should light leakage occur due toalignment defect of the liquid crystal molecules at the position of theslit 25 s caused by the shape of the slit 25 s, the slit 25 s isprovided between the sub pixel areas SG which does not contribute fordisplay as shown by the rectangular dotted line of FIG. 2. Accordingly,deterioration of display quality can be prevented. Further, it ispreferable that the width of the slit 25 s is set smaller than the widthof the BM and the silt 25 s is provided at the position overlapping withthe BM in plan view. The reason is that when light leakage or the likeoccurs due to the shape of the slit 25 s of the retardation layer 25,the light leakage is shielded by the BM, so that deterioration ofdisplay quality can be prevented.

Note that, in the invention, the setting number of the slit 25 s of theretardation layer 25 is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, anarea in which the slit 25 s is provided and an area in which the slit 25s is not provided may exist between sub pixel areas SG adjacent eachother in the extending direction of the second wiring 3 b of the gateline 3. Further, in the invention, as shown in FIG. 5B corresponding toFIG. 5A, the slit 25 s of the retardation layer 25 is not required topenetrate the retardation layer 25 in the thickness direction thereof.

Positional Relationship between Spacer and Slit of Retardation Layer

As described above, the columnar spacer 55 is provided at the area notoverlapping with the soft retardation layer 25 in plan view and at thecolor filter substrate side 92. Herein, when the columnar spacer 55 isprovided near the slit 25 s of the retardation layer 25 or on theextended line of the slit 25 s in the extending direction, when formingthe second alignment layer 26 of the color filter substrate 92, there isfear in that the flow of the second alignment layer 26 through the slit25 s positioned between the transmissive display area T1 and thetransmissive display area T2 provided at the positions to sandwich thereflective display area R is stopped by the columnar spacer 55.

Consequently, in order to prevent such a problem, in the firstembodiment of the invention, the columnar spacer 55 is provided at theposition most apart from the slit 25 s of the retardation layer 25 inany of the sub pixel area SG as shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred example,it is preferable that the columnar spacer 55 is not positioned on theextended line Ls of the slit 25 s of the retardation layer 25 in theextending direction as shown in FIG. 2. Herewith, when forming thesecond alignment layer 26, it can be prevented that the columnar spacer55 stops the flow of the second alignment layer 26 through the slit 25 sof the retardation layer 25 between the transmissive display areas T1and T2 adjacent each other. As a result, occurrence of thicknessnon-uniformity of the second alignment layer 26 can be prevented.

Second Embodiment

Next, a structure of a color filter substrate 94 according to a secondembodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6Aand the like. FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view showing the color filtersubstrate 94 according to the second embodiment of the inventioncorresponding to FIG. 5A.

When comparing the second embodiment with the first embodiment, in thesecond embodiment, a protection layer 27 is further provided between theretardation layer 25 and the second alignment layer 26 in the reflectivedisplay area R at the color filter substrate 94 side and the pint onlyis different from the first embodiment in the structure. Accordingly,the same reference numeral is used to denote the same element as that inthe first embodiment and further description thereof will be omitted.

Generally, the thickness of the second alignment layer 26 formed on theretardation layer 25 is thin, so that there is a fear in that aningredient contained in the retardation layer 25 is dissolved to flow tothe liquid crystal layer 40 side through the second alignment layer 26to deteriorate display quality due to the thickness. Further, asdescribed above, the retardation layer 25 is formed by polymerizing andcuring the liquid crystal having optical polymerization property, sothat the retardation layer 25 is generally soft. Accordingly theretardation layer 25 is extremely week to mechanical impact or the likegenerated when subjecting a rubbing process to the surface of the secondalignment layer 26.

Consequently, in the second embodiment, in order to solve the problemsat once, a protection layer 27 having a predetermined thickness isprovided between the retardation layer 25 and the second alignment layer26. Herein, as for a forming material of the protection layer 27, forexample, there is included a transparent resin such as acrylic resin.According to the structure, by the operation of the protection layer 27as a barrier, it can be prevented that an ingredient included in theretardation layer 25 is dissolved to flow to the liquid crystal layer 40side thought the second alignment layer 26. Herewith, the deteriorationof display quality can be prevented. Further, by the operation of theprotection layer 27 as a reinforcement layer, the retardation layer 25can be protected from mechanical impact or the like generated whensubjecting a rubbing process on the surface of the second alignmentlayer 26.

Further, in the second embodiment, in FIG. 2, a slit (groove) 27 s isprovided at the position corresponding to between the reflective displayarea R provided in any sub pixel area SG and the other reflectivedisplay area R provided in the other sub pixel area SG adjacent eachother in the extending direction of the second siring 3 b of the gateline 3 or the common wiring 2 with respect to the any sub pixel area SG.Herein, the planner positional relationship of each element of the bothliquid crystal device is the same except the above difference in thesecond embodiment and the first embodiment. Herewith, the slit 27 s ofthe protection layer 27 has the same function as that of the slit 25 sof the retardation layer 25, so that occurrence of thicknessnon-uniformity of the second alignment layer 26 can be prevented by theoperation of the slit 27 s. Accordingly, occurrence of displaynon-uniformity can be prevented.

Further, according to the structure, should light leakage occur due toalignment defect of the liquid crystal molecules at the position of theslit 27 s caused by the shape of the slit 27 s, the slit 27 s isprovided between the sub pixel areas SG which does not contribute fordisplay as shown by the rectangular dotted line of FIG. 2. Accordingly,deterioration of display quality can be prevented. Further, it ispreferable that the width of the slit 27 s is set smaller than the widthof the BM and the silt 27 s is provided at the position overlapping withthe BM in plan view. The reason is that when light leakage or the likeoccurs due to the shape of the slit 27 s of the protection layer 27, thelight leakage is shielded by the BM, so that deterioration of displayquality can be prevented.

Note that, in the invention, the setting number of the slit 27 s of theprotection layer 27 is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, anarea in which the slit 27 s is provided and an area in which the slit 27s is not provided may exist between sub pixel areas SG adjacent eachother in the extending direction of the second wiring 3 b of the gateline 3. Further, in the invention, as shown in FIG. 6B corresponding toFIG. 6A, it is preferable that the slit 27 s of the protection layer 27does not penetrate the protection layer 27 in the thickness directionthereof. Herewith, the protection layer 27 as a barrier exists betweenthe second alignment layer 26 and the retardation layer 25 correspondingto the position of the slit 27 s. This further prevents that aningredient contained in the retardation layer 25 is dissolved to flow tothe liquid crystal layer 40 side through the second alignment layer 26.Further, in the invention, the protection layer 27 may be formed notonly on the retardation layer 25 positioned in the reflective displayarea R but also formed on from the retardation layer 25 positioned inthe reflective display area R to the first alignment layer 24 positionedin the transmissive display area T.

Positional Relationship between Spacer and Slit of Protection Layer

The columnar spacer 55 is provided at the area not overlapping with thesoft retardation layer 25 in plan view and at the color filter substrateside 94. Herein, when the columnar spacer 55 is provided near the slit27 s of the protection layer 27 or on the extended line of the slit 27 sin the extending direction, when forming the second alignment layer 26of the color filter substrate 94, there is fear in that the flow of thesecond alignment layer 26 through the slit 27 s positioned between thetransmissive display area T1 and the transmissive display area T2provided at the positions to sandwich the reflective display area R isstopped by the columnar spacer 55.

Consequently, in order to prevent such a problem, in the secondembodiment of the invention, the columnar spacer 55 is provided at theposition most apart from the slit 27 s of the protection layer 27 in anyof the sub pixel area SG as shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred example, itis preferable that the columnar spacer 55 is not positioned on theextended line Ls of the slit 27 s of the protection layer 27 in theextending direction as shown in FIG. 2. Herewith, when forming thesecond alignment layer 26, it can be prevented that the columnar spacer55 stops the flow of the second alignment layer 26 through the slit 27 sof the protection layer 27 between the transmissive display areas T1 andT2 adjacent each other. As a result, occurrence of thicknessnon-uniformity of the second alignment layer 26 can be prevented.

Modifications

In the various embodiments described above, the pixel electrode 9 isconstituted to have a plurality of closed slits (openings) 9 s in planview. However, the invention is not limited to this and the pixelelectrode 9 may be formed in a comb teeth shape. When the pixelelectrode 9 is formed into a comb teeth shape, the distal ends of thecomb teeth of the pixel electrode 9 can be formed so as to come moreclose to the side of the other pixel electrode 9 adjacent in theextending direction of the second wiring 3 b of the gate line 3. Thismay improve the aperture ratio. However, the vicinity of the distal endsof the comb teeth are opened, so that if the vicinity of each of thedistal ends of the comb teeth is formed to extend near the slit 25 s ofthe retardation layer 25 or the slit 27 s of the protection layer 27,the vicinity of the distal ends of some of the comb teeth positionednear the slit 25 s or 27 s becomes susceptible to an influence of aneedles electric field E generated from the side of the other pixelelectrode 9 adjacent thereto. Consequently, there may occur a problem inthat discrenation (alignment abnormality of liquid crystal molecules)occurs and light leakage or the like occurs at the vicinity of thedistal ends of some of the comb teeth positioned near the slit 25 s or27 s.

Consequently, in a modification of the invention, as shown in FIG. 7corresponding to FIG. 2, slits (openings) 9 s closed in plan view areprovided at the part of the pixel electrode 9 positioned in thereflective display area R which is susceptible to the influence of thediscrenation to form a structure which is insusceptible to the influenceof the discrenation and cutouts 9 k are provided at the portion of thepixel electrode 9 positioned in the transmissive display area T which isinsusceptible to the influence of the discrenation and the pixelelectrode 9 positioned in the transmissive display area T is formed intoa comb teeth shape. Herewith, influence of the discrenation is reducedand the aperture ratio is improved.

Further, in the above various embodiments, the columnar spacer 55 isprovided at the area not overlapping with the retardation layer 25 inplan view at the color filter substrate 92 or 94 side. However, theposition of the columnar spacer 55 is not limited to this and thecolumnar spacer 55 may be provided at the area not overlapping with theretardation layer 25 in plan view at the element substrate 91 side inthe invention.

Further, in the above various embodiments, the coloring layer 22 of eachcolor of R, G, B has a rectangular plan shape and is provided at thecolor filter substrate 92 or 94 side and at the position correspondingto each sub pixel area SG. Further, the BM (light shielding layer) isprovided at the position blocking out each sub pixel area SGcorresponding to the each color of R, G, B, and the columnar spacer 55is provided at the position overlapping with the BM in plan view. Theinvention is not limited to this and the coloring layer 22 of each colorof R, G, B may have a stripe shape extending in the extending directionof the source line 4 and may be provided at the position overlappingwith the plurality of sub pixel areas SG arranged in the extendingdirection of the source line 4 in plan view. In this case, a BM (lightshielding layer) having a linear shape extending in the extendingdirection of the source line 4 is provided between the sub pixel areasSG adjacent each other in the extending direction of the second wiring 3b of the gate line 3 or the common wiring 2 and the columnar spacer 55is provided at the position overlapping with the BM having a linearshape in plan view.

Further, in the above various embodiments, the invention is applied tothe liquid crystal device having the α Si-type TFT element 30 as aswitching element. However, the invention is not limited to this and maybe applied to a liquid crystal device having a two-terminal typenonlinear element represented by a TFD (Thin Film Diode) element.

Further, in the various embodiments described above, the invention isapplied to the liquid crystal device having an FFS system as an exampleof a horizontal electric field system. However, the invention is notlimited to this and may be applied to a liquid crystal device having anIPS (In-Plane Switching) system as another example of a horizontalelectric field system.

Further, various modifications may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Electronic Apparatus

Next, a concrete example of an electronic apparatus equipped with theliquid crystal device 100 according to the first embodiment (or thesecond embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

First, an example in which the liquid crystal device 100 is applied to adisplay unit of a portable personal computer (so called note typepersonal computer) will be described. FIG. 8A is a perspective viewshowing a structure of the personal computer. As shown in FIG. 8A, thepersonal computer 710 is equipped with a main body unit 712 equippedwith a keyboard 711 and a display unit 713 to which the liquid crystaldevice 100 according to the invention is applied.

Next, an example in which the liquid crystal device 100 is applied to adisplay unit of a mobile phone will be described. FIG. 8B is aperspective view showing a structure of the mobile phone. As shown inFIG. 8B, the mobile phone 720 is equipped with an ear piece 722, a mouthpiece 723, and a display unit 724 in addition to a plurality ofoperation buttons 721. The liquid crystal device 100 according to theinvention is applied to the display unit 724.

Note that as for an electronic apparatus to which the liquid crystaldevice 100 according to the invention can be applied, except for thepersonal computer shown in FIG. 8A and the mobile phone shown in FIG.8B, there are included a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder-type ormonitor-direct-view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, apager, an electronic organizer, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, a digital still camera, and thelike.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A liquid crystal device,comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate; and a liquid crystallayer sandwiched between the first and second substrates, wherein thefirst substrate includes a first electrode, a second electrode forgenerating an electric field between with the first electrode, and areflection layer, and the second substrate includes a plurality ofcoloring layers, an alignment layer, and a retardation layer, atransmissive display area for performing transmissive display bytransmitting the light introduced into the liquid crystal layer from thefirst substrate side to the second substrate side and a reflectivedisplay area for performing reflective display by reflecting the lightintroduced into the liquid crystal layer from the second substrate sideto the second substrate side by the reflection layer are provided in asub pixel area corresponding to the area in which the first electrode ofthe first substrate and the second substrate are overlapped with eachother, a retardation of the liquid crystal layer in the reflectivedisplay area is different from that of the liquid crystal layer in thetransmissive display area, the retardation layer is provided between theliquid crystal layer and the second substrate and at a position at leastcorresponding to the reflective display area, the alignment layer isprovided between the retardation layer and the liquid crystal layer, anda protection layer positioned in the reflective display area andprovided between the retardation layer and the alignment layer includesa slit at a position corresponding to between the reflective displayarea provided in any of the sub pixel area and the other reflectivedisplay area provided in the other sub pixel area adjacent each other ina predetermined direction with respect to the any of the sub pixel area.2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1 wherein, the slit isprovided between some of the sub pixel areas adjacent each other in thepredetermined direction and the slit is not provided between the some ofthe sub pixel areas adjacent each other in the predetermined directionin the protection layer.
 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim1, wherein the slit does not penetrate in the thickness direction of theprotection layer in the protection layer.
 4. The liquid crystal deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a spacer for setting a distance betweenthe first substrate and the second substrate is provided at any one ofthe first substrate and the second substrate side and in the area notoverlapping with the retardation layer in plan view.
 5. The liquidcrystal device according to claim 4, wherein the spacer is provided atthe second substrate side.
 6. The liquid crystal device according toclaim 4, wherein the spacer is provided in an area in which thethickness of the liquid crystal layer is larger than the thickness ofthe liquid crystal layer in the reflective display area.
 7. The liquidcrystal device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of the subpixel areas are provided in a matrix manner, a light shielding layer isprovided at the second substrate side and at least between the sub pixelareas adjacent each other in a row direction, and the spacer is providedat a position overlapping with the light shielding layer in plan view.8. The liquid crystal device according to claim 4, wherein the spacer isprovided at the position most apart from the slit in any of the subpixel area.
 9. The liquid crystal device according to claim 8, whereinthe spacer is not positioned on an extended line in an extendingdirection of the slit.
 10. An electronic apparatus comprising the liquidcrystal device according to claim 1 as a display unit.